Transmission line connectors and assemblies thereof

ABSTRACT

A transmission wire connector, and a kit of parts for assembling such a transmission wire connector, is provided. The transmission wire connector, and a kit of parts, includes a first wire contact member and a second wire contact member mounted in bores in a base unit wherein the first and second contact members contact an exchange linked wire and a consumer linked wire respectively. The first and second wire contacts within the base unit are isolated from one another. A separable module unit cable of coupling with the base unit and providing direct or indirect electrical connection between the first and second contacts when the module unit is coupled to the base unit is also provided. The separable module unit is one of a plurality of such module units arranged to provide different functions to the connector or wire it connects. The connector may also include actuators for forcing the contacts and wires into an insulation displacement relationship.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to transmission wire connectors and assembliesthereof, and more particularly, although not exclusively, to connectorassemblies for linking telecommunication wires together, particularlywires from a telecommunications exchange to wires leading tosubscribers.

2. Related Art

It is known to provide such connectors and assemblies in which aplurality of contacts having wire insulation penetration capability areelectrically connected at one end to insulated wires from atelecommunications exchange. Insulated wires leading to thetelecommunications subscribers are then electrically connected eitherdirectly or indirectly to the other end of the contacts. Commonly suchterminals are mounted at the top of an outdoor telecommunication poleand act as distribution points for telecommunication wires tosubscribers.

Typically a twenty pair exchange cable is permanently connected tocontacts at one level of the assembly, whilst the wires linking the poletop and subscribers premises (commonly referred to as drop wires) areconnected, disconnected or reconnected at a separate level of theassembly as may be required from time to time.

It is to be understood that the assembly, although commonly mounted on atelecommunications pole, may also be mounted on the outside wall of thebuilding, in a building service area, or on a lower pedestal mount. Itmay vary in size typically from 5 to 50 pairs of wires, each pairservicing one piece of equipment (such as a telephone, a fax, or analternative form of modem).

Connector assemblies of the pole top distribution point (PTDP) kind havetraditionally proved a convenient location to hold ancillary equipmentsuch as surge arresters to reduce the damage to plant caused bylightning strikes, and contact between electrical power lines andtelephone wires. Technically the main problem with such PTDP assembliesand such ancillary equipment has been to protect the individualcomponents, such as the surge arrester and its housing, from theenvironment, especially from water contaminated with chemicals such assalt.

It has been proposed to house additional passive, and to introduceactive electronic devices to the PTDP. These include, for example, “softdial tone” components (which enable the wires to be tested even thoughno subscriber is connected) and “remote interface devices” (which allowthe wire to be tested from exchange to the PTDP and, quite separately,from the PTDP to a subscriber and also allows for disconnection of thesubscriber by remote control). Other similar components have beenproposed for inclusion in the PTDP.

However, not only does the addition of a multiplicity of functioncomponents add to the problems of protection from the environment of thePTDP point and its constituents, but also most seriously can effect thecomplication of the layout of the assembly if it is to accommodate thevarious components.

There are in service, 40 year old PTDP and the longevity of moderndesigns should be even greater than this. Unimaginable advances inelectronics will be made in the lifetime of a PTDP but it may not beeconomically viable to discard existing plant in order to take advantageof new technologies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector and anassembly of connectors which overcomes or at least significantly reducesthe above-mentioned difficulties.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided atransmission wire connector including a first wire contact member and asecond wire contact member mounted in bores in a base unit wherein thefirst and second contact members may slide to make contact with anexchange linked wire, and a consumer linked wire respectively, the firstand second wire contacts within the base unit being isolated one fromthe other; together with a separable module unit capable of couplingwith the base unit and providing direct or indirect electricalconnection between the first and second contacts when the module unit iscoupled to the base unit, the separable module unit being one of aplurality of such module units arranged to provide different functionsto the connector or a wire it connects.

The first and second contacts may be of the kind sliding over andgripping the relevant wire and at the same time displacing insulationabout the wire to provide good electrical contact with the conductor.The contacts are preferably of the kind carrying bifurcated bladesstrongly urged together to contact electrically the relevant cables.

The contacts may slide directly in ways formed in the base unit oralternatively may be mounted in carriers which in turn may slidelinearly within the base unit. The carrier is particularly advantageouswhen a plurality of contacts is to be moved by some means of mechanicaladvantage.

The connector may be sealed such that the totality of base unit andmodule unit are water repellent or water resistant.

The base unit and the module unit of the connector may be provided withcomponents such as to enable the provision of pairs of first contactsand pairs of second contacts with pairs of exchange linked wires anduser linked wires respectively in accordance with normal practice.

The base unit may include means to provide mechanical advantage in thecontact making sliding movement of one or a pair of the contacts withthe associated relevant wires. In addition, the exchange wire contact orcontacts may be pushed into insulation displacement electrical contactwith the exchange wire by manual means upon the coupling of the moduleunit with the base unit.

The module units may include one having a straightforward electricalconnection between the first and second contacts or pairs of contacts,and may include alternative modes of connection therebetween togetherwith additional utility units built in such as a three pole arrester, asoft dial tone test facility, a five pole arrester, a remote interfacedevice, as well as a common earth pole capable of linking through thebase unit to earthing contact with and beyond the casing of theconnector when in its assembly.

The module may have no contacts, but from an insulating blanking plugwhich completes the waterproofing of the connector until it is joined toa subscriber.

It is envisaged that modules may be produced in a variety of colours todonate their function, and the function that they bestow upon theconnector.

The interface between modules and base unit ideally may includepolarising features, the negative (hole) being on the base unit and ifall base units include the polarising feature, and only those moduleswhich are orientation sensitive include the feature, then the system issecure without being unnecessarily restrictive.

The first and second contacts may, at least upon full assembly, belocated wholly within the base unit.

A latching arrangement may be provided to ensure that coupling betweenthe module unit and the base unit is secure, and even in somecircumstances permanent.

The invention includes within its scope an assembly of connectors ashereunder defined:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now further be described by way of example withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an assembly of connectorsin accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional schematic view of a base unit of the connector ofthe present invention in a partially exploded configuration;

FIG. 3 shows the base unit of FIG. 2 in an assembled condition togetherwith a module unit separated therefrom;

FIG. 4 shows a connector in accordance with the invention with a moduleunit fully coupled to the base unit, and with additional facilitiesincluded within the module unit; and

FIGS. 5(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) show alternate wiringarrangements in schematic form for the module unit of a connector asillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIGS. 6 (a), (b), and (c) illustrate a variation of the embodiment asshown in FIGS. 2 to 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings it will be seen from FIG. 1 that aplurality of connectors 20 are mounted together within an appropriatelysealable elongate box 21 with a sliding lid 22.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 4 each connector 20, includes a baseunit 1 securable by screw means 2 within its box and supported on ametallic rail 3. The connector has a pair of exchange wire contacts 4(one shown) which before assembly are each inserted part way into a slot5 for subsequent engagement by means of closely pressed bifurcations(not shown) at its lower end into insulation splitting electricalcontact with a cable (not shown) from the relevant telecommunicationsexchange which is entered through a port 6.

In addition, a pair of drop wire contacts 7 (one only shown) areprovided each for insertion into an appropriate slide bore 8. Beforefinal assembly each contact 7 is left in a partially inserteddisposition. Each drop wire contact 7 is engagable with an operating cam9 to provide mechanical advantage in moving further forward the dropwire contact 7 in its sliding bore 8 so that bifurcations (not shown) atits lower end are enabled to engage and split the insulation on and makeelectrical contact with a subscriber or consumer wire (drop wire) (notshown) entered in through a drop wire port 10. Protection for the dropwire port is provided by means of a grommet 11 of elastomeric material.An earth contact 12, electrically contacting the metal rail 3 of theconnector assembly box passes through an appropriate aperture into abore 15 through the base unit 1 so that its bifurcated upper end 13 islocated level with the upper ends of the exchange contacts 4 and dropwire contacts 7 when completely engaged with their wires on fullassembly.

For full assembly of the connector, exchange wires are inserted intoports 6 ready for contact by the exchange contacts 4, and similarly dropwires are inserted into drop wire ports 10. The operating cams 9 arethen turned so as to engage fully and make electrical contact betweenthe drop wire contacts and the drop wire after displacing the insulationtherearound. Thereafter a module unit 14 is coupled in with the baseunit by the contacts 16, 17, 18 thereof, fitting into the appropriatebores 5, 15, 8 respectively of the base unit 1 so that contact 17engages between the bifurcation of the earth contact 12; contacts 16engage with the sides and tops of the exchange contacts 4; and contacts18 engage with the sides of drop wire contacts 7. Thus insertion oncoupling of the module unit 14 with the base unit 1 has the effect ofcausing the appropriate exchange contacts 4 of the base unit 1 to bearupon and engage with the exchange wires located within the exchange wireports 6, by the bifurcations cutting through and displacing theinsulation thereabout to make good electrical contact. At the same timethe central contact of the module unit engages within the bifurcationsof the earth contact to provide electrical earthing of any relevantcomponents of the connector module unit. Waterproofing of the couplingbetween the base 1 and module 14 is assisted by a gel filledlabyrinthine groove 23 in the top of the base unit 1.

It will be appreciated that connection, disconnection and reconnectionof the drop wire contacts 7 about drop wires can be carried out by meansof the operating cams 9 with the module unit 14 in place, the drop wirecontacts 7 sliding along the sides of the depending contacts 16 from themodule unit 14.

The arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4 shows a fully assembled connectionin which the module contains a three pole arrester 17, together with asubmergible test point 18 comprising a pivoted test contact memberlocated within grease or gel 19 in a side pot 20 to the module unit 14and movable, by means of an appropriate crocodile clip (not shown)placed about the side of the pot 20 and the side remote therefrom of theupper end of the test contact 19 to bring the lower end thereof intotesting engagement with contact bridge 21 within the module betweencontacts 16 and 18.

The arrangement of the connector of FIGS. 6(a), (b) and (c) is verysimilar in principle to that of FIGS. 2 to 4.

The base unit 1 carries at one side a sleeve 30 downwardly slidablewithin a bore 31 upon which a module (not shown) may be mounted forconnection to contacts 4 and 7, the downward movement of the sleeve onconnection causing contact 4 to slide into slot 5 and contact withexchange wire 32 (as seen in FIG. 6(b)).

Movement of contact 7 within its bore 8, instead of by means of a cam isnow by means of a screw member 33 having threads 34 engaging in athreaded bore 35 in the base member 1 and connected to a carrier body37, formed in base member 1, carrying the bore 8 and port 10 for dropwire 36.

Rotation of the screw member 33 in a clockwise direction within bore 35of the base 1, lowers carrier body 37 slidably relative to the basemember 1 so that the drop wire 36 is engaged by contact 7 which moveswithin slot 8 (as seen in FIG. 6(c)).

Rotation of the screw member 33 thereafter in an anticlockwise directionwill disconnect contact 7 from drop wire 36. Both connection anddisconnection can be effected whether or not the module (not shown) isconnected.

FIGS. 5(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) illustrate schematically examples ofconnection and functions which can be accommodated within the moduleunit 14.

Thus FIG. 5(a) shows a simple unprotected twin contact arrangementwithout connection to the earth pin.

This connects the exchange wire contacts to the drop wire contactswithout any additional circuitry or function.

FIG. 5(b) shows circuitry for a 3 pole arrestor and FIG. 5(d) thecircuitry for a 5 pole arrestor. It can be seen that alternatively twosingle pole arrestor might have been fitted into a module. It would bepossible to use carbon spark gaps or a solid state devices asalternatives to Gas Discharge Tubes which are the most common form ofover voltage protection in this application.

The over current protection in the 5 pole arrestor could be provided bya fusible link or a positive temperature coefficient thermistor.

FIG. 5(c) shows a unit that might be fitted as the connector is shippedto the customer. It incorporates line termination circuitry, the purposeof which is to allow the wires and connections between the exchange andthe PTDP to be tested before the drop; wires and the subscriber areconnected to the system. Without this device, before the subscriber isconnected the circuit is open at the PTDP and thus only limited testingfrom the exchange is possible.

A scheme for a remotely controlled switch and test unit is shown in FIG.5(e). The circuitry would typically be controlled by a (coded) signalfrom the exchange.

Such a signal could cause the links between exchange wire contacts anddrop wire contacts to be broken.

With these links broken it is thus possible to test the circuit betweenthe exchange and the PTDP.

A further (coded) signal from the exchange to the circuitry in thisdevice would cause the circuit between the PTDP and the subscriber to betested, the result of such testing being signalled back to the exchange.

Upon completion of testing, the link between exchange wire contacts anddrop wire contacts would be remade.

FIG. 5f illustrates a further alternative module in which a soft dialtone unit 40 is provided, linked to the exchange wires.

The beneficial functioning of the connector according to the inventionillustrated and described is manifold, including the following features:

(a) Making connection to exchange side contacts. This connection that ismade when the connector is installed, often to a small (0.4 mm to 0.63mm) conductor insulated with solid polyethylene. This insulationdisplacing contact is held within the base unit body. The unit may beshipped to the user with the contact positioned, and held by friction ordetent, in a retracted position. After the exchange wires have beenpassed into the ports, the contacts may be pushed forward by fingerforce on the module to make connection.

(b) Making connection to drop wires. This is a connection that may bemade and broken dozens of times in the life of the connector. Thesedisturbances may happen due to change of subscribers requirements ordamage to drop wire (such as trees, power lines, high vehicles).

Drop wires often range in size and materials from 0.5 mm to 1.14 mmdiameter conductors that may be of copper, cadmium copper or coppercovered steel and insulation, 1.0 mm to 5.5 mm overall dimension, thatmay be polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or (butyl) rubber.

The drop wire contacts are contained wholly within the base unit. Theseare insulation displacing contacts. Because of the high forces (up to500N) required to push these contact on to the large drop wires, anoperating mechanism (which may be driven by screwdriver or hexagonsocket) is used. This operating mechanism is built entirely into thebase unit.

(c) Earth connection. Wholly contained with the base unit is a metallicelement or contact, which at one end effects a connection within themodule unit and at the other with an earth bus or rail built into theterminal box or enclosure.

(d) Joining exchange side terminal to drop wire terminal, is performedby a link means built into the module unit. The link in its simplestform may be a single piece of copper alloy for each line. There may be amechanical or electronic switch built into the link in order to severthe service to the subscriber.

(e) Waterproofness. The exchange connection is readily sealable with apetroleum grease. This allows entry of the insulated wire, but stopswater reaching the terminal along the exchange wire port.

The Drop Wire connection is sealable by a re-usable sealant system, Thismay comprise a petroleum grease as used in the exchange side plus anelastic grommet wiser to help retain the grease in the Drop Wire portswhen the drop wire is removed.

The module to base unit interface may include a reusable seal that isnot readily contaminated. There are many possible configurations offluid, gel-like and elastic seal.

By means of the invention we have provided a connector and assembly ofconnectors of simple but great diverse capability for use primarily inthe telecommunications industry. The invention may be provided as anassembled unit or as a kit of parts for assembly by the user. Othersuitable arrangements will appreciated by one skilled in the art.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary ofconnectors and assemblies for connectors in accordance with theinvention and that modifications can readily be made thereto withoutdeparting from the true scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A kit of parts comprising: (i) a transmissionwire connector including a first wire contact member and a second wirecontact member, each being mounted in a base unit thereby to makecontact with an exchange linked wire and a consumer linked wire,respectively, the first and second wire contact members within the baseunit being isolated one from the other, wherein the first and secondwire contact members are mounted in bores in the base unit, the contactmembers being slideable relative to the exchange linked wire and theconsumer linked wire, respectively to make contact therewith, (ii) aseparable module unit capable of coupling with the base unit andproviding direct or indirect electrical connection between the first andsecond wire contact members when the module unit is so coupled to thebase unit, there being provided a plurality of module units arrangedcollectively to provide different functions to the connector or a wireit connects, the separable module unit being one of the plurality;wherein the exchange wire contacts or contacts are pushed intoinsulation displacement electrical contact with the exchange wire bymanual means urged by the coupling of the module unit with the baseunit; wherein the base unit includes means to provide mechanicaladvantage in the contact making sliding movement of at least one of thewire contact members with the associated relevant link wires.
 2. A kitof parts as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second contactmembers are of the kind sliding over and gripping the relevant wire andat the same time displacing insulation about the wire to provide goodelectrical contact with the conductor.
 3. A kit of parts as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the contact members are of the kind carrying bifurcatedblades strongly urged together to contact electrically the relevantwires.
 4. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 1, the connector beingsealed such that the totality of the base unit and module unit are waterrepellent or resistant.
 5. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 1, whereinat least one of the first wire contact member and the second wirecontact member is capable of sliding within its bore for connections to,disconnection from, and reconnection to, its associated exchange orconsumer linked wire.
 6. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe module unit comprises a first pair of first and second plug-likecontacts and a second pair of first and second plug-like contacts andwherein the base unit comprises a first pair of first and second wirecontact members and a second pair of first and second wire contactmembers so as to enable the first pair of first and second plug-likecontacts to connect to a pair of exchange linked wires and to enable thesecond pair of first and second plug-like contacts to connect to a pairof user linked wires.
 7. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 1, wherein amodule unit includes a direct or straight forward electrical connectionbetween the first and second contact or pairs of contacts.
 8. A kit ofparts as claimed in claim 1, wherein a module unit includes at least oneof a plurality of options of modes of connection therebetween togetherwith at least one additional utility units incorporated therein.
 9. Akit of parts as claimed in claim 8, wherein an additional utility unitcomprises a three pole arrester.
 10. A kit of parts as claimed in claim8, wherein an additional utility unit is a soft dial tone facility. 11.A kit of parts as claimed in claim 8, wherein an additional utility unitis a five pole arrester.
 12. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 8,wherein an additional utility unit is a remote interfaced device.
 13. Akit of parts as claimed in claim 8, wherein a module unit includes acommon earth pole capable of linking to an earthing contact that extendsthrough the base unit.
 14. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe first and second contact members are, upon full assembly of theconnector, located wholly within the base unit.
 15. An assembled kit ofparts as claimed in claim 1.